Hero Story: Decontee Davis

This young mother from Liberia is now supporting children touched by the virus that almost claimed her life.

The Tackle Ebola initiative through Paul G. Allen’s $100 million commitment has supported nearly 20 programs and more than a dozen partner organizations. #ISurvivedEbola is using stories of Ebola survivors to educate and support those most affected by it:

When 23-year-old Ebola survivor Decontee Davis of Liberia fell ill in early August 2014, she assumed it was any number of West African sicknesses that come with fever, vomiting, and stomach pain. Luckily, Decontee’s family was educated about Ebola and, when her symptoms continued to progress, brought her to an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU). Initially, Decontee was resistant to entering the unit; but after hearing the testimony of an Ebola survivor, she was convinced it was her only choice. That testimony saved Decontee’s life. On September 5, 2014, after nearly three weeks of treatment, she was declared Ebola-free and released from the ETU. Inspired by the survivor whose story gave her hope, Decontee is now working at a center for children who have come in contact with Ebola patients and are under 21 days of observation. “I feel I can do it, because I have passed through it. I know the pain it can cause,” says Decontee. a mother of one who is now a mother of many.